Monday, April 24, 2006
Amazing!
Honestly, West Ham United have proven beyond all doubt that you never really know what you're going to get from them. The Premiership newcomers, mostly fresh faced youngsters, have defeated no fewer than five top-division stalwart clubs on their course to Cardiff and the UEFA Cup and, if the league table is anything to go by, find themselves consistently among the top 10 league clubs in England.
They weathered a determined Middlesbrough attack for 45 minutes, then came out of the blocks in a manner few could have expected. They then scored a goal. Then they weathered another attack. On another day, Boro could have scored and have found themselves pitted against Liverpool in the final. But it wasn't another day.
It was the day that Alan Pardew's new-look West Ham came of age. It was Ron Greenwood's day. It was Johnny Lyall's day.
Something intangible kept the ball out of Shaka Hislop's net at Villa Park, and I won't belittle the moment to suggest what it was. But the tide has turned, the years of darkness seem to have gone, and West Ham have given themselves the chance to grasp at greatness.
West Ham have forever been blowing bubbles and only rarely seen them reach the sky. Now is the time to turn things around.
They weathered a determined Middlesbrough attack for 45 minutes, then came out of the blocks in a manner few could have expected. They then scored a goal. Then they weathered another attack. On another day, Boro could have scored and have found themselves pitted against Liverpool in the final. But it wasn't another day.
It was the day that Alan Pardew's new-look West Ham came of age. It was Ron Greenwood's day. It was Johnny Lyall's day.
Something intangible kept the ball out of Shaka Hislop's net at Villa Park, and I won't belittle the moment to suggest what it was. But the tide has turned, the years of darkness seem to have gone, and West Ham have given themselves the chance to grasp at greatness.
West Ham have forever been blowing bubbles and only rarely seen them reach the sky. Now is the time to turn things around.
Posted by whubris at 6:59 am
whubris said...
"They [Boro] caught us unawares with their [3-5-2] system," said Etherington of Sunday's tactical battle. "The manager couldn't get his message across in the first half as it was too loud. At half-time he told us what to do. He told the strikers to split themselves, as the three they had at the back were getting the ball a lot, and he told Anton [Ferdinand] to come forward more. In the second half we were the better team."
Nice one, Dancin' Man.
whubris said...
Shaka 6 - unsteady but kept us in it.
Konchy 6 - out of position repeatedly, argh!
Danny G 7 - excellent
Collins 7 - solid
Anton 6 - effective
Ethers 7 - good running
Reo-Coker 8 - superb
Mullins 6 - overran
Yossi 8 - full of energy
Marlon 7 - seemed a bit overawed by the occasion but a very well taken goal
Ashton 7 - good support, needs to be more involved & look for the ball
Newton 6 - did his job
Zamora 6 - did his job
beggers said...
whubris,yeah we were there. Me, my dad and a mate drove up from the goldie. Got there about 11, quick pint outside, chat to the jocks inside watching the 'old firm' game then the wait. Not a bad crowd considering it was on pay TV and was on at 1 am Monday morning. Good old WH, we truly have some of the best supporters around. Gotta decide whether to drive up for the final or watch it down here. Good atmosphere at the 'Pig', will be hard to beat. I suspect a lot of Mickey Mouser support will be there for the final, which will make it more interesting than the overwhelming support we usually have.
whubris said...
I'd expect a big crowd for the final - a lot of Scousers and neutrals will be there. Not sure if I'll go. I thought I would but if it's a big crowd you just can't see what's going on.
beggers said...
You've gotta watch it in the pub whubris, we'll need your voice! Just get to the venue early.
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whubris said..."They [Boro] caught us unawares with their [3-5-2] system," said Etherington of Sunday's tactical battle. "The manager couldn't get his message across in the first half as it was too loud. At half-time he told us what to do. He told the strikers to split themselves, as the three they had at the back were getting the ball a lot, and he told Anton [Ferdinand] to come forward more. In the second half we were the better team."
Nice one, Dancin' Man.
whubris said...Shaka 6 - unsteady but kept us in it.
Konchy 6 - out of position repeatedly, argh!
Danny G 7 - excellent
Collins 7 - solid
Anton 6 - effective
Ethers 7 - good running
Reo-Coker 8 - superb
Mullins 6 - overran
Yossi 8 - full of energy
Marlon 7 - seemed a bit overawed by the occasion but a very well taken goal
Ashton 7 - good support, needs to be more involved & look for the ball
Newton 6 - did his job
Zamora 6 - did his job
beggers said...whubris,yeah we were there. Me, my dad and a mate drove up from the goldie. Got there about 11, quick pint outside, chat to the jocks inside watching the 'old firm' game then the wait. Not a bad crowd considering it was on pay TV and was on at 1 am Monday morning. Good old WH, we truly have some of the best supporters around. Gotta decide whether to drive up for the final or watch it down here. Good atmosphere at the 'Pig', will be hard to beat. I suspect a lot of Mickey Mouser support will be there for the final, which will make it more interesting than the overwhelming support we usually have.
whubris said...I'd expect a big crowd for the final - a lot of Scousers and neutrals will be there. Not sure if I'll go. I thought I would but if it's a big crowd you just can't see what's going on.
beggers said...You've gotta watch it in the pub whubris, we'll need your voice! Just get to the venue early.
